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13 Aug 2012

Action on the Demands by Registered Labour Organisation

Some major Central Trade Unions viz., INTUC, BMS, CITU, HMS, AITUC and Federation of Bank Unions had given a call for general strike to press their demands. The year wise details of their demands are given below:

The year wise details of the demands of the Trade Unions submitted to the Government

2010 - Major Central Trade Unions i.e. INTUC, CITU, AITUC and HMS, had given nation- wide strike call to be observed on 07.09.2010 for following demands to be considered by the Government :-

(i)To check price rise of essential commodities.

(ii)Concrete proactive measures to be taken for linkage of employment protection.

(iii)Strict enforcement labour laws.

(iv)Schemes under the un-organised Social Security Act, 2008 and

(v)Disinvestment of shares of Central Public Sector Enterprises.

2011 - United Forum of Bank Unions comprising 8 unions / association had given strike notice for resorting to nation-wide strike on 07.07.2011 to press their following demands:-

(i)Not to privatize Public Sector Banks,

(ii)Not to reduce Government’s equity in Public sector Banks,

(iii)Not to avail World Bank Loan to capitalize Public Sector banks,

(iv)Not to proceed with merger of Banks including the Associate Banks with SBI,

(v)Not to issue license to Industrial house to start their own Banks,

(vi)Not to violate provisions of Bipartite Settlement on outsourcing,

2012 - All the major Central Trade Unions i.e. INTUC, CITU, AITUC etc. had given a nation wide strike call to be observed on 28.02.2012 in all the industrial establishments to show their resentment against the Government over the following demands:-

(i)Concrete measures to contain price rise;

(ii)Concrete measures for linkage of employment protection with the concession / incentive package offered to the entrepreneurs;

(iii)Strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws;

(iv)universal social security cover for the unorganized sector workers.

(v)Stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State PSUs;

(vi)No contractorisation of work of permanent/perennial nature of job.

(vii)Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs.10,000/-

(viii)Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund, increase the quantum of gratuity.

(ix)Assured Pension for all Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO conventions No.87 and 98.

On receipt of strike notices submitted by the Unions affiliated to the major central trade unions and United forum of Bank Unions conciliation proceedings were initiated at the level of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Deputy Chief Labour Commissioners (Central) and Regional Labour Commissioners (Central). Despite the interventions by the Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM) the unions resorted to strike.

As per the call given by the major central trade unions, they resorted to nation wide strike on 07.09.2010 and 28.02.2012. The unions operating in Banks also resorted to strike on 07.07.2011.

Ministry of Labour & Employment has initiated/taken definite measures on issues relating to labour. The details of the initiatives taken up by the Ministry are given below:

Steps taken by Government to solve the issues relating to labour

The Government of India has enacted the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 and has set up a National Security Fund with a corpus of Rs.1000 crore.

· Under the provisions of Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, from time to time, Government has abolished the employment of contract labour on various jobs of permanent and perennial nature.

· A proposal to streamline social security benefits is under consideration of the Government.

·To ensure universal coverage of employments under Minimum Wages Act, the proposal for amendment in the Act has been mooted.

·During 44th Session of Indian Labour Conference consensus has emerged to raise the wage ceiling from Rs.6,500 to Rs.10,000-15,000 under P.F. Act and the same is under examination of the Government.

·Under the Payment of Gratuity Act quantum of Gratuity has been increased from Rs.3,50,000 to Rs.10,00,000.

As per the current partial disinvestment policy of the Government the public sector character of CPSEs would not be affected and therefore would not impact the labour / employment policy. However, Government is always open to discussion with Trade Unions on any issues relating to labour at any time to resolve the same amicably through consultations.

This information was given by Minister of Labour and Employment ShriMallikarjunKharge in reply to a written question in the RajyaSabha today.